Screwdriver with replaceable nib

ABSTRACT

A screwdriver with a replaceable nib for use in production procedures to permit replacement of the nib due to wear without replacement of the entire tool. The basic concept involves a split nib which permits ready removal but adequate retention during use.

United States Patent Inventor Fritz L. Lindberg 2726 Mount Elliott Ave., Flint, Mich. 48504 App]. No. 30,776

Filed Apr. 22, 1970 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 SCREWDRIVER WITH REPLACEABLE NIB [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 236,236 12/1925 Great Britain 145/50 A 259,902 6/1949 Switzerland 145/50 R Primary Examiner-Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, Jr. Attorney-Barnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

l 145 50 A ABSTRACT: A screwdriver with a replaceable nib for use in US. C 25 0 production procedures to permit replacement of the nib due Int. Cl B 141; to wear without replacement of the entire tool. The basic com Field ofSearch 50 B/ 50E, cept involves a Split nib which permits ready removal but 5 adequate retention during use.

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ATTORNEYS SCREWDRIVER WITH REPLACEABLE NIB This invention relates to a screwdriver with a replaceable nib.

In production operations where a production worker is handling a screwdriver throughout an entire production shift, particularly the type of screwdriver that is used for Phillips-type screwhead socket, there is considerable wear on the contact part which enters the screw socket. If it is necessary to replace the entire screwdriver each time this part wears out, the expense of replacement is high.

The present invention contemplates a replaceable nib with an unusual design which permits ready replacement by an operator but which is securely locked in place during operation without screws or other releasable fastening means, the pressure of the operation serving to increase the retention.

Other objects and features of the invention relating to details of construction will be apparent in the following disclosure and the accompanying drawings wherein the principle of operation and the details of construction are set forth.

Drawings accompany the disclosure and the various views thereof may be briefly described as:

FIG. 1, a side elevation, partially in section, details of the invention.

FIG. 2, a sectional view taken 90 from the view in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3, an end view of the unit.

showing the REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS A screwdriver shank having a suitable hexagonal construction has a reduced circular head portion 12 which is axially slotted at 14. The head portion 12 has a chamfered inner end 16 and a chamfered outer end 18. A split resilient retaining sleeve 20 is frictionally mounted on the reduced portion 12 having an intumed edge 22 which snaps into the groove formed by the chamfered inner end portion 16. The split resilient retaining sleeve 20 has an axial side slot 24 and is formed of resilient material so that it will snap in place.

Viewing the parts in FIG. 2, it will be seen that in the slot 14 there are dimpled portions 26 formed in the outer walls of the split resilient retaining sleeve 20 to slide in the slot 14 and prevent rotation of the split resilient retaining sleeve 20. Retained in the split resilient retaining sleeve 20 and in the slot 14 are two identical nib portions 30 and 32 with flat, contiguous shank portions 34 and V-shaped contact nibs 36 having apices 38 contacting each other centrally of the unit. The outer ends of the nibs 36 are chamfered to fit the standard Phillips screw sockets for any particular range ofdimension.

The outer nib portions 36, having the V-shape as illustrated in FIG. 3, are retained in position by the inner walls of the split resilient retaining sleeve 20 so that they are in close contact with each other, and also by the intumed portions 40 on the outer end of the split resilient retaining sleeve 20 which embraces a portion of the tapered end of the nibs 30 and 32 to lock these nibs 30 and 32 in place. The chamfered corners 42 at the inner ends of the slot-confined flat portions 34 are in contact with the dimpled portions 26 which serve as pressure backup points. The resilience of the split retaining sleeve 20 is such that the nibs 30 and 32 cannot be removed simultaneously but it is possible to pull either nib 30 or 32 separately from the assembly by reason of the expansion of the split resilient sleeve 20 so that the nibs 30 and 32 can be readily removed and readily replaced as they become worn.

As described above, the shank portions 34 of the nibs 30 and 32 are in contact with the inward locator projections 26 on the split resilient sleeve which provides a slightly resilient backup for the nibs 30 and 32 because of the resilience of expansion of the split sleeve 20.

I claim:

1. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises:

a. a screwdriver shank having a groove spaced inwardly from one end and an axial slot extending inwardly from said same end,

b. an expansible retaining sleeve around said end having a portion to engage said groove near one end, and

c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end to be received in said slot in contiguous, parallel relation, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said retaining sleeve, said sleeve pennitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes.

2. A device as defined in claim I in which said sleeve has an intumed flange at the other and outer end to contact and retain said nibs.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said sleeve has inward projections engaging said slot to locate the sleeve circumferentially.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said projections are located to contact the inward ends of said shank ends of said nibs in said slot to serve as pressure backup points for said nibs.

5. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said inward ends of said shank ends of said nibs are chamfered at the outer corners and positioned to contact said projections on said sleeve which serve as a resilient pressure backup for said nibs.

6. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises:

a. a screwdriver shank having a slot in one end,

b. an expansible hollow retaining sleeve having one end supported on said one end of said shank and the other end projecting from said shank, and

c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end to be received in said slot in contiguous parallel relation, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said sleeve, said sleeve by its resilience permitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes.

7. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises:

a. a screwdriver shank,

b. an expansible hollow retaining sleeve having one end supported on said shank and the other end projecting from said shank, and

c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end retained on said shank, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said sleeve, said sleeve by its resilience permitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes.

* I t t 

1. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises: a. a screwdriver shank having a groove spaced inwardly from one end and an axial slot extending inwardly from said same end, b. an expansible retaining sleeve around said end having a portion to engage said groove near one end, and c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end to be received in said slot in contiguous, parallel relation, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said retaining sleeve, said sleeve permitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said sleeve has an inturned flange at the other and outer end to contact and retain said nibs.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said sleeve has inward projections engaging said slot to locate the sleeve circumferentially.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said projections are located to contact the inward ends of said shank ends of said nibs in said slot to serve as pressure backup points for said nibs.
 5. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said inward ends of said shank ends of said nibs are chamfered at the outer corners and positioned to contact said projections on said sleeve which serve as a resilient pressure backup for said nibs.
 6. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises: a. a screwdriver shank having a slot in one end, b. an expansible hollow retaining sleeve having one end supported on said one end of said shank and the other end projecting from said shank, and c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end to be received in said slot in contiguous parallel relation, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said sleeve, said sleeve by its resilience permitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes.
 7. A Phillips-type screwdriver with a replaceable nib which comprises: a. a screwdriver shank, b. an expansible hollow retaining sleeve having one end supported on said shank and the other end projecting from said shank, and c. a pair of screwdriver nib portions each having a shank end retained on said shank, and each having a nib formed as a V with the apices in contact and the legs of the V retained by said sleeve, said sleeve by its resilience permitting removal of one of said nib portions at a time for replacement purposes. 